Each month during the academic school year, St. Rita of Cascia High School presents a notable member of each class with the “Mustang of the Month” award. Students are nominated based on their overall achievements and involvement at St. Rita of Cascia High School. In order for a student to be considered, he must excel in two of the following areas: academics, athletics, activities, or community service projects. A committee selects the winners from the nominees.

The following students were selected as the April 2016 Mustangs of the Month.

Freshman - Jaime Banuelos

Jaime belongs to St. Gall Parish and graduated from St. Gall Grammar School. During his time so far at St. Rita, Jaime has played soccer and water polo and is also a member of the Knights of Augustine. Outside of St. Rita, Jaime is a part of the Agape Youth Group, plays club soccer, and also does Jiu Jitsu.

When asked what his time at St. Rita has meant to him so far, Jaime responded, “My time at St. Rita has been a fun and great learning experience. I haven’t even finished my freshman year and I already have new lifelong friends, as well as three more great years here at St. Rita.”

Sophomore - Kevin Healy

Kevin belongs to St. John Fisher Parish and graduated from St. John Fisher Grammar School. During his time so far at St. Rita, Kevin has played baseball, golf, and basketball and has also been a member of the Knights of Augustine. Outside of St. Rita, Kevin helps out at the Ronald McDonald House and the PADS Shelter.

When asked what his time at St. Rita has meant to him so far, Kevin responded, “Going to St. Rita has been the best years of my life. I have met so many new friends that I will know for the rest of my life and I can't wait to spend these next two years with my Rita brothers.”

Junior - Justin O'Connell

Justin is a member of St. Christina Parish and graduated from Mt. Greenwood Grammar School. During his time so far at St. Rita, Justin has wrestled, played football and lacrosse, and has been a Big Brother and a member of the Knights of Augustine. Outside of Rita, Justin is a eucharistic minister at his parish.

When asked what his time at St. Rita has meant to him, Justin responded, “My time at St. Rita has been a wonderful experience. I’ve met many new people who I consider to be my brothers. Coming here was the best decision of my life. I love everything about this place. I wouldn’t change anything about it. With only one more year left in high school, I plan on making the most of every month.”

Senior - Mike Long

Mike is a member of St. John Fisher Parish and graduated from St. John Fisher Grammar School. During his time at St. Rita, Mike has played soccer and volleyball and has participated in the Spanish Club, Seinfeld Club, NHS, and Knights of Augustine. Outside of Rita, Mike has been a part of the St. John Fisher Garden Club, and has been a volunteer basketball coach.

When asked what his time at St. Rita has meant to him, Mike responded, “St. Rita has literally become a second home to me. Over the last four years, I’ve met some awesome guys and had some great times. I can’t believe I only have one month left here. Shout out to my fellow seniors for making this an awesome four years. Love you guys!”

About St. Rita of Cascia High School

St. Rita High School is a college-preparatory, Augustinian Catholic high school for young men rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the tradition of St. Augustine, following the Augustinian philosophy of education. Located on a 37-acre campus at 7740 S. Western Avenue on Chicago’s south side, St. Rita has a 110-year tradition and legacy, is over 24,000 alumni strong and offers 16 athletic teams and 30 clubs and activities.

St. Rita aims to form each student as a whole person: spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically, and socially, and to provide its young men with the necessary skills to succeed in college and in life, leading to life-long learning and personal awareness.

Through the Augustinian core values of Veritas (Truth), Unitas (Unity), and Caritas (Love), St. Rita strives to develop a bond between the members of the entire family: Augustinians, faculty, staff, students, parents, and alumni.

In the spirit of our Father, St. Augustine, we will be of one mind and one heart on our way to God.